Superintendents Toolkit 2013

Sample letter: RIF situations

Date

Dear Parents,

I am writing to inform you about a situation in (your school district) that unfortunately has caused us to implement a Reduction in Force (RIF) of teachers and staff. We have excellent teachers and staff members and are very disappointed to have to make these personnel reductions that were caused by the state’s cut to public education funding the past few years. Not only has the state cut transportation funding by 42 percent during the past three years, but it also cut General State Aid by 11 percent in FY13 and estimates are that GSA may be cut by as much as 20 percent for FY14, which would cost our district $ XXXXXX . General State Aid accounts for about XX percent of our revenues, with property taxes accounting for about XX percent and federal funding about X percent. I have attached a one-page fact sheet listing titled “Funding Facts for the XXXXXX School District.” The final point of the fact sheet is a projection that our district will end this school year with a deficit of more than $ XXX,XXX . Unfortunately, we do not see any signs that the trend of state and federal cuts to education will change in the near future. In fact, it may get worse. We already have made cuts in all of those areas that we could without cutting personnel and programs. We must take action now in order to gain financial stability going forward for our school district. As painful as these cuts are for everyone involved, holding the line on budget deficits is the only way we can continue to provide the best possible educational programs and opportunities for our students today and in the future.

We appreciate your concern and support for public education and the students in our school district.

Sincerely,

Name Superintendent School District